What it is
Times Supermarket in Līhuʻe is a full-service grocery store located in the Kukui Grove Center, Kauaʻi's largest open-air shopping center. As a major supermarket for the area, it serves both local residents and visitors, offering a wide range of groceries, fresh produce, meat, and seafood. It is part of a statewide chain that also operates the Big Save Markets on Kauaʻi. For travelers, it functions as a key provisioning stop, especially for those staying in vacation rentals or condos, and provides a taste of local shopping culture.
Visitor experience
Travelers visit Times to stock up on essentials, from breakfast items to beach snacks and drinks. The store is particularly noted for its prepared foods, which offer a convenient and affordable alternative to restaurant dining. Key features for visitors include:
- "Taste of Times - The Kitchen": An in-store counter with a rotating selection of hot prepared foods, suitable for quick lunches or dinners.
- Poke Counter: A full-service poke bar offering various styles of fresh, raw fish salad, a local staple.
- Sushi & Bakery: In-store made sushi and a standard bakery department provide easy options for picnics or simple meals.
- Local Products: The store carries products from Kauaʻi and across Hawaiʻi, including items like Kauaʻi Shrimp, Hanalei Poi, and Kapaʻa bananas. It also has a large Asian food section.
- Flowers & Lei: A floral department sells fresh flower lei, which are popular as gifts or for special occasions.
Logistics
- Location: 3-2600 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766, within the Kukui Grove Center.
- Hours: Open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Holiday hours are often reduced; for example, the store closes early on Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve and is closed on Christmas Day.
- Parking: Ample free parking is available in the large surface lot of the Kukui Grove Center, which has over 2,400 stalls.
- Access: Easily accessible by car. The Kukui Grove Center is also a hub for The Kauaʻi Bus.
- Reservations & Permits: Not required.
- Duration: A quick stop for prepared foods might take 15-20 minutes, while a full grocery run could take 45-60 minutes.
- Services: The store offers an ATM, Coinstar, electric shopping carts, and sells postage stamps. Notably for visitors, it is an official vendor for one-day and monthly passes for The Kauaʻi Bus.
Safety and cautions
- Bag Policy: Kauaʻi County has a plastic bag reduction ordinance. No plastic checkout bags are provided. Shoppers must bring their own reusable bags or purchase paper or reusable bags at the store.
- Alcohol Sales: Beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased in grocery stores in Kauaʻi. Sales for off-premise consumption are permitted between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
- Cost: Groceries in Hawaiʻi are significantly more expensive than on the U.S. mainland. Visitors should budget accordingly.
- Pharmacy: This location does not have an in-store pharmacy.
- Returns: Return policies are not posted online; inquire in-store for details.
Editorial take
Times Supermarket in Līhuʻe is an essential and highly practical stop for many Kauaʻi visitors. It should be a priority for travelers staying in condos or vacation rentals who plan to cook, as well as for anyone looking for affordable, ready-to-eat local foods like poke and plate lunches. The long hours make it a convenient first stop after arriving at the nearby Līhuʻe airport to provision for a stay. The on-site sale of Kauaʻi Bus passes is a significant convenience for car-free travelers.
Visitors looking for a curated gourmet market or an exclusively artisanal experience should skip this; it is a mainstream supermarket, not a specialty food hall. While it offers a good selection of local products, it should not be confused with a farmers market, which will have a more direct-from-the-farm selection but with much more limited hours. For travelers needing bulk items, Costco is nearby, but Times offers a more conventional grocery experience without membership requirements.
Source notes
- Times Supermarket (Official): The Līhuʻe store page lists official hours, holiday schedules, and available services like the bus pass sales and ATM.
https://www.timessupermarkets.com/store/lihue-times - Times Supermarket (Weekly Ads): The current weekly ad for Maui and Kauaʻi stores gives insight into pricing and featured local products.
https://www.timessupermarkets.com/ads/maui-and-kauai - Kukui Grove Center: The shopping center's official site confirms its status as a major retail hub with ample free parking.
https://www.kukuigrovecenter.com/ - County of Kauaʻi (Bus Fares): Official government page confirming that Times Supermarket in Līhuʻe is an authorized vendor for general day and monthly bus passes.
https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Transportation/Bus-Fares - County of Kauaʻi (Plastic Bag Ban): Official government page detailing the ordinance that bans plastic checkout bags, requiring shoppers to bring their own or use paper/reusable alternatives.
https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Public-Works/Solid-Waste/Recycling/Plastic-Bag-Ban - TIPS (Hawaii Alcohol Laws): A clear summary of liquor laws, including the 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. hours for off-premise sales in Kauaʻi County.
https://www.gettips.com/blog/hawaii-liquor-laws
